Quick Take
- Maintaining wildlife populations favors public ownership over private interests.
- The Seven Pillars of the North American Model create specific legal barriers for private markets.
- In Europe, hunting is an elite sport requiring hunters to pay private landowners.
- License and hunting fees help fund wildlife restoration.
The North American Model of Conservation is what makes the U.S.’s wildlife protection one of the best in the world. It stands apart from many others, including the European conservation model. Whereas many countries leave wildlife in the hands of private landowners, the U.S. gives control to the public. This notion of shared responsibility for protecting the country’s vulnerable lands and species is what makes its model so successful. In the U.S., as the motto goes: conservation belongs to no one but is for everyone.
How Do Common Taxes Help Conservation?
Hunters aren’t the only ones who pay taxes that go right back into conservation. Some states also apply excise taxes or dedicate portions of sales tax revenue from outdoor equipment and licenses to conservation efforts. These also help protect marine and land ecosystems. Additionally, USDA programs often provide tax-reported payments, which reduce emissions and help keep soil clean. In some states, companies that contribute to pollution or greenhouse gas emissions may be subject to carbon pricing or cap-and-trade programs. In these cases, some of the revenue is directed toward environmental initiatives.
Landowners can also donate development rights for income tax incentives. By doing this, a portion of their land is protected under federal law. This is how historic properties maintain their upkeep, and prevents anything from being built on land that houses large populations of wildlife. While taxes are not returned to the government, landowners help protect critical ecosystems by donating their land for conservation. This also marks a significant difference between wildlife conservation in the U.S. versus the European model.